Ten years after the last known sighting, Bat Boy will return to sink his fangs into the London stage in a brand new production in The Large at Southwark Playhouse from Friday 9th to Saturday 31st January 2015. On sale now.
A strange bat-child is discovered in a dank cave in deepest, darkest West Virginia. For the small community of Hope Falls, the discovery threatens to shake its moral core and the residents turn to the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, in the hope that he will know what to do with the strange creature. Taken under the wing of Dr Parker’s wife, the boy is taught in the ways of the world and adjusts to life in this seemingly normal American family. However, ‘normal’ is merely the cycle on Mrs Parker’s washing machine. Secrets, lies and a mysterious case of dead cows leave our Bat Boy at the mercy of his god-fearing community and the shocking truth that reveals the hidden beast in all of us.
A quirky story with a serious bite, Bat Boy is a delicious twist on the modern day musical comedy. The story was inspired by an article run by American tabloid The Weekly World News; a paper of fabricated stories that many unsuspecting readers believed to be real. The creation of Bat Boy became an overnight sensation and made him a pop-culture icon.
Matthew White will play Dr Parker and Lauren Ward will play Meredith Parker. White’s acting credits include Ragtime (Piccadilly Theatre, Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor), Chicago (Adelphi Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Les Misérables (Palace Theatre). Lauren Ward originated the role of Miss Honey in the RSC’s Matilda in the West End and on Broadway, receiving a Tony Award nomination for her performance. Other recent credits include The Sound of Music (London Palladium), The Philadelphia Story (Old Vic), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regents Park), and Follies and Carousel on Broadway.
Further casting is to be announced.
Bat Boy: The Musical is directed by Luke Fredericks with choreography by Joey McKneely and set and costume design by Stewart Charlesworth. Luke Fredericks and Stewart Charlesworth are behind the company Morphic Graffiti, who have created critically acclaimed productions of Carousel at Arcola Theatre and Jekyll and Hyde at the Union Theatre. It has a story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and arrangements and orchestrations by Laurence O’Keefe and Alex Lacamoire.
Follow on Twitter @BatBoy_UK.
Tickets can be booked through www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk.
